What Diseases Do Mosquitoes Spread?
WouterBesides being a source of food and shelter, mosquitoes also serve as vectors for infectious diseases. These diseases are caused by parasites, bacteria, or viruses that are carried by certain species of mosquitoes.
Among the most common infectious diseases are malaria, West Nile, dengue, and Zika. The parasites infect the red blood cells of humans, which then causes the diseases. Malaria, for example, is a very serious infection that causes about 400,000 deaths each year. It is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. The mosquito vectors that carry malaria are called Anopheles species.
Another serious disease caused by mosquitoes is yellow fever. This disease is endemic in many countries in Africa and Central and South America. It can be very fatal, and has caused devastating outbreaks in the past. Symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle and joint pain.
Mosquitoes also carry West Nile virus, which causes illness in people who have been bitten by infected mosquitoes. However, it is less common in the United States.
Mosquitoes can also carry a virus called chikungunya, which causes high fever and joint pain. Some other common diseases carried by mosquitoes include the Ross River virus, the Western equine virus, and the Eastern equine virus. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, and a rash.
Other viruses transmitted by mosquitoes include encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis. The female mosquitoes that transmit these diseases pierce the skin of the host and draw blood for eggs. These mosquitoes also use blood vitamins for egg production.
